Director of Nursing (DON) salaries saw a 3.75% increase in 2024, according to the 2024-2025 Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report. The percent increase is based on trend data from participants that submitted data for both the current and previous year’s studies.

In a comparison of data by profit type, the national salary for DONs in not-for-profit facilities was $109,829; DONs in for¬-profit facilities received $120,000; the national salary across all reporting facilities was $115.003. (Data reported reflects the national 50th percentile base salary.) In a comparison of CCRC vs. Nursing Home DON rates, the national CCRC salary was $116,799, compared to $115,003 for nursing homes.

Nursing homes continue to utilize sign-on bonuses to attract new talent, with 65.44% of participants reporting they currently offer sign-on bonuses (up slightly from 65.05% last year). The average sign-on bonus reported for DONs was $8,488 in 2024, up from $7,296 in 2023. For a comparison of data trends the past few years, the table below shows actual percent increases for nursing staff from 2021 – 2024.

This year marks the 47th annual year of publication. 914 nursing homes participated in the study and provided compensation data on 100,600+ employees, covering 47 management and 55 nonmanagement positions. 48.69% of study participants were not for profit facilities, while 51.31% were for-profit facilities. The results are reported according to revenue size, profit type, bed-size, region, state, and CBSA. The Report includes 19 fringe benefits, as well as shift differentials, and actual and projected salary increases by department for 2024 to 2025, turnover/vacancy rates, and sign-on bonuses. Data in the study are effective as of March 2024.

While the latest Nursing Home Report is available for $400, the price for LeadingAge members is $325.

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